NCP marks July uprising anniversary with calls for systemic reform and faster justice for martyrs
Photo Collected
Leaders of the National Citizens Party (NCP) marked the beginning of a month-long commemoration of the second anniversary of the July uprising by paying respects at the mass graves of martyrs in Rayerbazar on Wednesday. Braving heavy rain, the party’s senior leadership, including convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam and member secretary Akhtar Hossain, visited the site to honor the victims of the movement.
Addressing the media following the tribute, Nahid Islam expressed profound disappointment, stating that the aspirations for a democratic and equitable Bangladesh, which fueled the uprising, remain largely unfulfilled two years later. He paid homage to the 1,400 martyrs and 30,000 injured protesters, acknowledging the diverse coalition of students, laborers, professionals, and activists who mobilized during the unrest.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The NCP convener also voiced strong dissatisfaction with the recent sentencing of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) president Hasanul Haq Inu. An international tribunal recently sentenced Inu to 10 years for his alleged role in facilitating the genocide orchestrated by the former Awami League regime. Islam characterized the sentence as insufficient, arguing that it fails to deliver true justice to the victimized families, and urged the state to appeal the decision to seek more severe penalties.
Criticizing the pace of judicial proceedings under the current government, Islam noted that only two verdicts related to the July killings have been delivered thus far. He emphasized the necessity of bringing those currently in exile, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to face trial. Furthermore, he urged the government to fulfill its commitments regarding the financial rehabilitation of affected families and the preservation of mass graves as national heritage sites.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The party’s leadership issued a stern ultimatum regarding the delayed opening of the July Uprising Memorial Museum, demanding that it be made accessible to the public by August 5, or face popular intervention. Islam further challenged the current government to move beyond symbolic gestures, calling for the immediate implementation of structural reforms and the mandates established by the referendum.
The month-long program, titled “July Awakening to Build the Nation,” is scheduled to continue until August 5. The series of events will include public discussions, cultural programs, and rallies, culminating in a “Victory Celebration” on the final day. Alongside Islam and Hossain, the delegation included several prominent figures of the movement, including parliamentary members Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, who reiterated the call for the government to prove its alignment with the spirit of the July uprising through tangible policy actions.
0%
0%
0%
0%
